Combined tail light and number for automobiles.



. D. S. CAKE. COMBINED TAIL LIGHT AND NUMBER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED HAB. 16,-.1910- Patentd Nov. 21, 1911.

17411545. C'aIe C mfg-6e@ UNITED .STATES-PATENT carica :uvm s. cans-for Los menus, cALuonNIA.

COMBINED un. Lrelrr AND NUIHEB `Fon AUronoILEs.

Be it known that I, DAVID S. ICAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented Va new and useful Combined Tail Light and Number for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tail lights and numbers for automobiles, and one of the objects of the invention is to produce a device of the character described in which a single source of illumination is used for the purpose of lighting both the numberand the tail light.

`.Another object of the invention is to produce a device of the character described in a compact form and of simple construction.

Another object is to provide an electric ta-il light and number.

Other objects and advantages will appear as hereinafter specified.

Referring to the drawings z-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, horizontal sectional view on line 2.-2 Fig. 1. Fig. -3 is a transverse section on the line :v3-m3 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line w"-ar:v Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view partly in section of the clamping device.

1 designates an elongated case or box formed of thin sheet metal or other suitable material provided at .each end withend closures or plates 2 and 3. Each closure 2 and 3 is hinged to the case 1 at the top and bottom at 4 and 5 respectively, the hinges .being provided with removable pintles 6 having their ends bent, as shown at 7, to provide handle means by which they may be readily removed. With this construction the plates 2 and 3 may be removed entirely,

or by removing either'the top or bottom pintle from its respective hinge the plate may be swung open on the remaining pmtle.

The rear face 8 of the case l is provided with a bulls-eye or light distributing lens 9 preferably red in color and a longitudinal opening 10 therein for displaying the license number as hereinafter described.

Supported on the end\plate 3 is an incandescent electric vbulb 11 provided with electrical connections 12. The-bulb 11 is so fl arranged as to be directly in line with the bulls-eye 9 and forms therewith the rear 55 light of the automobile.

A reflector 13 is secured tothe interior Specification ot Letters Patent. Application med Inch 10, 1010. Burial I`o. 549,789.

wall of the box 1 in -position to ldirect li ht from the] bulb l11 to the bulls-eye. e number display consists of a transparent glass arranged agalnst the inner side of the wall 8 of the box 1, the plate 14 being'o'f suieient size to extend beyond the opening 10 on all sides thereof. Next to the plate 14 on the inner side is a sheet 15 of black or other opaque paper or other similar material having stenciled o enings plate 14 of.I

Patented Nov. 2`1, 191.1.

16 therein forming the numerals o which the license number is composed! On the inner side of the sheet 15 is arranged a plate 17 of red glass. The plate 14, sheet 15 and plate 17 are held tight against the wall of the .box by flat springs 18 bent in undulating form to present a plurality of bearing faces 1 against .the plate, the springs 18 being seated withm recesses 19 and 2O formed by bent portions 21 on the inner walls of the'box.

The plates 14 and 17 and the number sheet 15 therebetween are placed within the box -through the end of the body and the springs 18 inserted therein along the upper and lower portion of the plate 17, the end plate 2 having first been swung open'on either the upper or lower hinge.

is limited by means of a stop 22. While I have described the plate 14 as bemg transparent glass and the `that light rays from the bulb 11 are directed through the number openings 16 in thesheet 15, causing the numbers to be displayed in red or other color through the opening 10- in the case. A reflector 25 is arranged between the light bulb 1 1 and the end 3 of the case to direct rays of light from the bulb along the defiector plate 23. A mirror or reflector 26 is arranged adjacent to the end 2 of the box for the purpose of reflecting any rays from the bulb which may reach the end'2 of the box.

' It is desirable thatv means be provided for allowing rain or other moisture which may enter between the plate 14 and the lower edge of the opening 10 to escape before it p The inward movement of the plate 14, sheet 15 and plate 17 late 1 -7 of' red glass, I do not limit mysel to the usereaches the paper sheet 15, and for this purpose perforatlons'QT are provided in the bottom of the case under the plate 14.

The device is designed to be carrled'at the rear of an` automobile and may be r1g idly secured thereto, ears 28 .having per. `forations 29 therein being provided for this purpose, or the device may be hung from the rear axle or otherconvenient place, staples or loops 30 being provided through which fastening means such as straps may be inserted.

hat I claim is A tail light and number display for automobiles, comprising a case having an opening in one side thereof and a bulls eye at one side of sald opening, lighting means in said case, a number display member in said case and elasticmeans in said case orholding said number display member against 'set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 8th day of March 1910.Y

- DAVID S. CAKE.

In presence of- Gr. .T. HACKLEY, FRAM/r L. A. GRAHAM. 

